Joyce Despe, RN, was named Loyola University Health System’s Fanchon Knight Nurse of the Year during its annual Nursing Excellence Award Ceremony on May 8. Despe is a nurse on a surgical services floor at Loyola University Medical Center.

“Joyce represents nursing at its best,” said LUHS Nurse Manager Ann Edlbauer, RN, BSN, who nominated Despe for the award. “She is a positive influence on staff, and she has been instrumental in enhancing her patients’ experience while hospitalized.”

Despe has worked at Loyola for 11 years. During this time, she has cared for some of the hospital’s sickest patients. Despe’s colleagues describe her as a natural leader with a calm and reassuring manner that is appreciated by patients, families and staff. Her patients know her by name and describe her as “their angel.”

“Joyce’s clinical expertise, judgment and interpersonal skills combined with her caring nature make all those who come in contact with her blessed to cross her path,” said LUHS Administrative Director Carol Schleffendorf, RN, MS, NE-BC, who also nominated Despe for the award.

The Fanchon Knight Nurse of the Year Award was established by Knight’s family to support nursing practice and education. Knight passed away in December 2005, after working at Loyola for nearly 30 years in a variety of roles. At the time of her death, she was working with head and neck cancer patients in the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center.

Knight was a consummate role model for her peers. This attribute was apparent when she developed melanoma. During her final days, Knight asked her Cancer Center colleagues to come to her bedside, so she could give them a list of her patients’ needs. This commitment to her patients truly defines the attributes of the Nurse of the Year, which is why the award was named in her honor.

Several other nurses were recognized at the ceremony for their clinical expertise, leadership, patient advocacy, innovations, mentoring or skills as advanced practitioners. The following is a complete list of award winners: